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Reefton RSA’s new outreach is changing lives.

02/15/2018 - 14:26

Reefton RSA have faced many challenges over the past 8 months; they came to the harsh reality that they had an aging committee that was not as active as it once was. Each year their membership was declining, the members of the community were not joining and the local youth were simply not interested in the RSA.

The committee projected that if things carried on like this, the RSA would be closed down in less than 5 years.

Reefton RSA identified that the center of gravity for them was the community, and in particular the youth.

Their mission now is to step away from club related activities, and instead focus more on providing education/training programs for local youth, and become more involved in helping their community. Tony Groves, President of Reefton RSA, wants to ensure that the RSA can continue to provide support in the future.

Reefton Change Two Youth Members Lives

Recently Reefton RSA helped sponsor two deserving youth members of the Reefton community to attend Outward Bound, a not-for-profit Trust, established to create better people, better communities and a better world, with values that align with the RSAs.

Ezra was one of the youth members sponsored to go, the experience she had was like none other, and not what she was expecting.

“We did a lot of physical activities, like tramping and rowing, but by the end of the first week I realised the course was not only a physical challenge, but mental also,” she said.

“From being on the course, I learned to appreciate the things I have, because there are a lot of people who have less. I also learned how different people have different needs, and that we need to be respectful of these.”

“I am happy I finished the course, and I am grateful to the RSA. I am extremely proud of myself, and every single person on the course for doing so well.”

Reefton RSA's Future

Tony, President of the Reefton RSA, reached out to Outward Bound and established a community partnership.

“We are now also preparing to send two adults on Outward Bound scholarships as a part of our inclusive community initiative. The result of helping our general community is now growing our membership and an increase of active committee members,” Tony said.

This will in turn help the RSA to grow and thrive in the future, ensuring they will be able to continue supporting former and current service personnel, and their families.